Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Players celebrate with nickel back Duke Dawson after Dawson's first interception during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Versatile UF defensive back Dawson: ‘I can play it all’

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 30, 2016

UF defensive back Duke Dawson takes pride in his versatility.

Former NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow finishes his work out for baseball scouts and the media during a showcase on the campus of the University of Southern California, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 in Los Angeles. The Heisman Trophy winner works out for a big gathering of scouts on USC's campus in an attempt to start a career in a sport he hasn't played regularly since high school. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Don’t quit your day job, Tebow

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 30, 2016

Let me start by saying Tim Tebow was one hell of an athlete.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Former UF receivers score TDs, Bullard earns sack

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 30, 2016

Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during the anthem overshadowed an even more surprising narrative on the 49ers’ sideline this week: The re-emergence of Jeff Driskel. But setting Driskel aside for a moment, Florida’s receivers, defensive rookies and veterans came through for their teams in Week 3 of the NFL preseason.

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Dear Colin Kaepernick: Stand now, before you’re sitting on the bench

By Ray Boone | Aug. 30, 2016

The NFL regular season is almost here. And with it comes yet another fresh set of controversies.

UF's Eddie Garcia (157) leads the pack during the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 19, 2015, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida excited about incoming cross country freshmen

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 30, 2016

Last year, the Florida women’s and men’s cross country teams dominated the competition to open the season at the Covered Bridge Open, finishing first and second, respectively.

UF coach Jim McElwain talks with his team following the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Cleveland, Wells suspended for Florida’s opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 29, 2016

Freshmen receivers Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells are suspended for Florida’s season opener against Massachusetts on Saturday, coach Jim McElwain announced on Monday.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) drops back to pass during Florida's Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain, Del Rio confident in offense

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain slammed his hand on the side of the lectern during his Monday press conference, but he wasn’t angry.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks drops back to pass during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: McElwain wants to get freshman QBs playing time

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 29, 2016

Redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio is the Gators’ starting quarterback in Saturday’s season opener against UMass. Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby is cemented as his backup.

UF's Shainah Joseph swings for a kill attempt against Mississippi State. The sophomore middle blocker recorded seven kills and five blocks as No. 8 seed Florida defeated ninth-seed Illinois in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Ames, Iowa.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gaining experience key for volleyball team early in season

By Alejandro López | Aug. 29, 2016

Florida volleyball coach Mary Wise knew what her team was getting itself into this past weekend.

UF football players run out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

AlligatorSports Roundtable: Who will be the MVP for Florida football in 2016?

Aug. 28, 2016

The Florida football team has playmakers throughout its roster, but will one player stand out from the rest this season? In the second edition of the alligatorSports roundtable, football writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak predict who will be Florida’s Most Valuable Player in 2016.

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot on goal during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators top UCLA in overtime to split West Coast weekend

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 28, 2016

After opening the 2016 regular season with two easy-going home wins, Florida’s soccer team faced its first obstacle on Friday night in Palo Alto, California, falling to Stanford in a 1-0 overtime loss.

UF's Carli Snyder (left) and Rhamat Alhassan celebrate during Florida's 3-0 win against New Hampshire Dec. 3, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida beats Oregon 3-1 for first win of the season

By Ray Boone | Aug. 28, 2016

Late into the fourth set, unranked Oregon was pushing No. 10-ranked Florida to the limit.

Right-side hitter Alex Holston swings for a kill during Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida’s attack sputters in loss to No. 1 Nebraska

By Alejandro López | Aug. 27, 2016

It began promisingly enough.

UF forward Savannah Jordan fights for possession during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida falls to Stanford in overtime

By Lauren Staff | Aug. 27, 2016

No. 6 Florida (2-1-0) entered Friday night’s game against No. 3 Stanford (3-0-0) with a chip on its shoulder.

Receiver Dre Massey participates in Florida's 2016 Spring practice at the Sanders Practice Fields.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

After two years in junior college, receiver finds home at Florida

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 25, 2016

Steve Spurrier didn’t forget about Dre.

UF's Antonio Callaway (81) returns a punt 85 yards for a touchdown during Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game on Dec. 5, 2015, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Season-opener status for three receivers remains unclear

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 25, 2016

Antonio Callaway has been taking reps with the first-team offense during practice over the last three weeks.

UF offensive lineman Fred Johnson (74) screams in excitement as he runs out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Youth along offensive line will prove critical to UF’s success

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 25, 2016

At 6-foot-6 with piercing green eyes, Fred Johnson is a man who walks into a room and demands attention.

UF midfielder Sarah Troccoli dribbles past an Iowa State defender during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

After two straight wins, No. 6 Florida faces first real test

By Lauren Staff | Aug. 25, 2016

The last time Florida played Stanford in the 2014 NCAA quarterfinals, the game ended in a 2-2 tie and came down to a penalty kick decision.

UF coach Mary Wise calls out instructions during Florida's 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2015, in the O'Connell Center. On Friday, Wise earned her 800th win as the coach of the Gators.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball opens season against No. 1 Nebraska

By Ray Boone | Aug. 25, 2016

After a 2015 season that ended in agonizing defeat, the Florida volleyball team finally has a shot at redemption.

Cornerback Jalen Tabor (31) celebrates after successfully defending wide receiver Josh Hammond (10) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

AlligatorSports Roundtable: Predicting the Florida Gators football season

Aug. 24, 2016

With UF’s season opener against UMass fast approaching, alligatorSports football writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak take their best shots at predicting how the 25th-ranked Gators will fare this year.